Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, on Saturday, July 19th, the Mateel Community Center will revive Reggae on the River as a single-day, roots reggae and world music celebration at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area in southern Humboldt. A transitional year for the event, with issues still unresolved in the festival’s ongoing legal dispute, Reggae on the River 08 will be an in-house production offered in a keep-the-name-alive-forever spirit, with hopes to return the festival to 3 day event that will again support the work of both community non-profits and the Mateel Community Center.

In keeping with the paired down theme, the festival will eschew top heavy headliners this year and will feature a deep and top class billing of international talent including Culture with Kenyatta Hill, The Wailing Souls (w/ Ziggy Marley’s backing band); native New Zealanders, Katchafire; Jamaica’s conscious dancehall and roots sensation, Warrior King; dancehall diva, Sister I-Live; and Jamaica’s rising star (and local favorite), Stevie Culture, with more talent TBA. Additionally, the event will offer vendors, a children’s area, delicious food and drink, a beer & wine bar, and plenty of irie vibes on the beautiful shores of the Eel River in Benbow Lake S.R.A.

Don’t miss this chance to support the work of MCC while helping keep Reggae on the River alive. Tickets will be offered soon at the affordable, family friendly price of $45 for MCC members (at the MCC office only), $50 in advance, and $55 at the gate (if available) with kids 12 & under free. They will first be available for purchase at the Summer Arts & Music Festival at Benbow Lake SRA on the weekend of May 31 & June 1 (look for them at the Mateel info booth), and will then be available at local outlets and online at http://www.inticketing.com beginning Monday, June 3. Advance tickets are advised as capacity will be limited.

Visit either http://www.mateel.org or http://www.reggaeontheriver.com for further talent announcements, plus state park camping info, and other festival tidbits. A variety of vending options are also currently available for craft and food booths (with non-profit organizations receiving food booth priority). For more information on vending at Reggae on the River, contact Ashley Wilma at 923-3368 ext. 31 or email her at vendorinfo@mateel.org. To volunteer, or for more general questions about this year’s single day Reggae on the River festival at Benbow Lake SRA, contact the MCC office at (707) 923-3368 or send an email to office@mateel.org. So mark your calendars now and don’t miss the return of this beloved SoHum tradition on Saturday, July 19.